Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
The Cow-Tail Switch: And Other West African Stories
A collection of West African folktales compiled by Harold Courlander and George Herzog, featuring animals, kings, hunters, and tricksters in stories that capture the wit and vitality of oral tradition.
Work Information
Seventeen stories from the forests, seacoasts, hills, and plains come together in a single vivid volume.
This book is a folktale collection gathered by Harold Courlander and George Herzog from stories told across West Africa. Animals such as Frog, Rabbit, and Turtle appear alongside kings, hunters, wise figures, and tricksters, and the stories move through wit, humor, and the memory of a community. Supported by illustrations and a light reading voice, the book still carries the depth of oral tradition.
Review Summaries
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Many readers value the energy of the stories and the feel of oral storytelling, finding that the collection preserves the appeal of the tradition itself. Others divide over the old-fashioned voice and the anthology-like structure.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Square Fish
- Published
- 2008-04-29
- Pages
- 143 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 13.39 x 0.89 x 19.46 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9780312380069
- ISBN-10
- 0312380062
- Price
- 3175 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/Children's Books/Geography & Cultures/Explore the World/Africa
17 stories make up this unique collection of folktales brought to life by illustrations throughout the text. "The stories of West Africa are about men and animals, about kings, warriors, and hunters. They tell about clever people and stupid people, about good ones and bad ones, about how things and animals got to be how they are. Sometimes they are just tall tales. There are stories about Frog, Rabbit, Turtle, Guinea Fowl, and all the other animals that West Africans know. Some of the stories make you think. Some make you laugh. Here are some of the stories of the people of the forests, the seacoast, the hills, and the plains. The people of West Africa give them to you." A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK ( 1948)
As a young man, Harold Courlander (1908-1996) took a trip to Haiti with the intention of doing research for a novel. He discovered his lifelong passion, anthropology, which led him to further travels and research into Native Americans, Asians, Indians, and numerous African tribes. He preserved the history of these people in his many books of folklore and history. George Herzog (1901–1983) was a musicologist and anthropologist specializing in Native American music. Like Courlander, he was intent on preserving the heritage of people, particularly through their music. Madye Lee Chastain (1908-1989) wrote 17 children's books and illustrated many more.
Reviews
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This is a beautiful book and even better for children. This short book does a brilliant job, in my opinion, encapsulating the beauty and history of West Africa and its people. It tells the proverbs and stories that are useful to anyone!
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Engaging folklore retold in a fantastic style. Very readable and highly enjoyable. Suitable for all ages. I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in folklore or African cultures and anyone with children who enjoy fairy tales.
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This is a superb copy I received from the vendor, I am truly gratified. The stories in the Courlander collection are great stories wonderful for use in comparing other stories from and about the folklore of Africa. Prior to reading Chinua Achebe's classic tales, or any story or novel set in another region of the world, I set a reading requirement goal for my students that must include a rich array folklore and geography. In addition my students research the artist who did such an outstanding job of illustrating the collection.
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great stories, well told...perfect night-time read-aloud texts...grandchild, 8, loved it...
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As an intermediate-grade teacher, I have often used stories that have been told through long periods of time and refined by a culture to teach a lesson in an interesting way. Respect for diversity, so important today, is strengthened by seeing common values such as the importance of taking care of other people in "Kadoo's Wall." I will use other stories as the time is right.